“Micro World Up Close: Discovering Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and Its Laboratory Research” – Open Day at the Microbial Strain Collection of Latvia

“Micro World Up Close: Discovering Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and Its Laboratory Research” – Open Day at the Microbial Strain Collection of Latvia

On October 5, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the Microbial Strain Collection of Latvia invites visitors to an Open Day at Jelgavas Street 1, Room 526, to discover the world of microscopic fungi and learn how they are studied in the laboratory.

This Open Day will focus on Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, the fungal pathogen responsible for ash dieback. Visitors will learn about the biology and importance of this fungus, its cultivation and preservation in a microbial culture collection, and the laboratory methods used to study it.

Participants will have the opportunity to observe H. fraxineus cultures and learn about fungal cultivation, analysis, and long-term preservation. The event will also provide an insight into research investigating the antagonistic activity of microorganisms against H. fraxineus. Laboratory demonstrations and a tour of the cryocollection will illustrate the importance of microbial collections in the preservation and research of fungal plant pathogens.

The activities of the Latvian National Node of the Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure, as well as the organization of the event, are supported by the ERDF co-funded project No. 1.1.1.5/3/25/I/011 “University of Latvia and Institutes in the European Research Area—Excellence in Research and Collaboration.”